Tag: music

What’s She Like – new paperback edition

I loved catching up with the final chapters of Helen’s newly released paperback edition, despite real life catch ups and chats, these insights into working with the likes of the Bluebells (Helen also not only met Clare Grogan TWICE, the second time she got a hug, I was so jealous I’m almost cross 😉😆😆), Tanita, and my favourite of all working with Tim Burgess and the Royal Northern College of Music, are all worth the cost of the book alone.

I couldn’t just reread the final chapters, I had to go back to that inspirational reacquaintance with the violin from the back of the cupboard and begin again from there. Of particular interest were the chapters describing English folk music traditions dating back to the 17thC (something I’d fully intended to explore but have not quite got around to yet, not shocked face), they’re brilliant, informative but never dull. A living breathing tradition. There’s a whole world out there of music and tradition that I’ve entirely missed out on**.

All of it enthused with joy, positivity and determination. The Commonwealth Games chapter is also another favourite. The most beautiful of all though is the short chapter to Kai, Helen’s Grandson.

If you’ve only read the hardback you’re missing out.

** It’s happening every day and here is me thinking “I’m not overly fond of folk music” but this all sounds fascinating – plus I hypocritically love Welsh folk music from the likes of Cerys Hafana – so I’m intrigued to know of an English folk tradition out there that perhaps isn’t just singer guitarists.

October 2, 2026
Seb’s Lunch Box Simmons Electronic Drum Kit

We were known as purists but all the same not averse to trying new technology when it suited and through early 1981 Seb spent some time working with Dave Simmons trying to put an electronic kit together to use with the band.

The main thinking at the time was to reduce the amount of gear on stage, having a smaller kit meant less obstructions, you’d be able to see the drummer performing instead of just a head and waving arms above the kit. We often hid amps and other gear behind backdrops and stage props over the years too. So working with Dave Simmons, Seb had an even smaller kit built, instead of the large hexagonal bass drum head and smaller snare and tom hexagonal pads, he had these smaller “lunch box” sized pads built.

The technology of the time though meant that the sound source or brain of the Simmons kit was an analogue drum synthesiser. This was before affordable digital memory chips would make drum sampling cost effective, the Linndrum was still a year or so away yet. Interestingly Seb also got himself a Linndrum after he left the band in 84, and did some session work with it. The Simmons was strictly analogue though back then and the sounds mimicked the real thing but didn’t quite cut it. The kits worked brilliantly within electronic music but sadly didn’t quite work out for us at that time. Such a shame it was a fantastic piece of kit.

After all of that work the kit got used just one time to mime on a TV show (Boom Boom… Out Go The Lights – my first ever TV, we performed Plan B alongside an amazing “alternative” comedy showcase. Including a send up of ourselves by Alexei’s Midnight Runners) and then one time in the studio, sadly just for a door slam effect. It was brilliant for that door slam though. DerThunk.

More info on the kit itself at – https://blog.simmonsmuseum.com/?m=201305

September 10, 2020
Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival 2014

Every year it’s too tempting to over enthuse and wax lyrical over our most recent festival, but in 2014 it really was a bit special for me. I wouldn’t have changed a single one of our High Street acts and loved it from start to finish!

On Sunday August 24th 2014 our High Street stage at the Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival shared the day with a brilliant Vintage Fair, Children’s Festival and Food Fair. Thousands filled the streets of Bridgnorth, to take advantage of the entertainment on offer for all ages and all of the performers went down a treat.

The music kicked off with the sublime opening spanish chords and harmonies of Synergy, followed by raucous cowpunk and blues from the brilliant Rhino and the Ranters. Thom and Chrisbee were up next, with a cleverly multi-layered sound, guitar, beat boxing, rapping and non-stop live act that left you breathless just watching.

Next were the fantastic Rainbreakers, they’d driven all the way from the Isle of Wight to be with us on Sunday, went straight up on the stage and didn’t miss a beat, it doesn’t get much tighter than this, a long established Shropshire band with a great following, fantastic to see them on our High Street stage this year.

Astrid’s Tea Party came up from Brighton with a massive electro-dance rock sound, first time the band had played in Bridgnorth and they made a lot of new fans, including me! We’re all eager to hear recordings currently under way, keep an ear out for this band.

Our headliners gave us the perfect finale to a great day of music, the one and only Miles and Erica from the Wonderstuff. Playing a great selection of old and new songs to a packed and jumping marquee. We had the best line up ever this year and they all went down a storm.

All of this was complimented perfectly at the other end of the marquee, as the band stage alternated with some fantastic acoustic acts on the acoustic stage.

I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings as it’s our TENTH Festival too.

January 12, 2015
EDG Sun Fest May 4th 2014

Tickets are available now for the EDG Sun Fest on May 4th. Can’t wait for this!

We’ve got some fantastic bands involved this year but kept the ticket price down to just £3 for adults and kept it free for under 13s to make it a great value day out for families too.

By charging a small amount we can make sure that all of the bands get paid for coming across. Something that’s always been difficult at our free festival in August.

April 7, 2014